Chemical weed control in wheat 353

CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN WHEAT UNDER

IRRIGATED CONDITIONS
Sanaullah Chaudhary*, Muzzammil Hussain** and Javed Iqbal*

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm, Gujranwala, Pakistan

during the years 2006-07 to 2008-09 to evaluate the effect of different
herbicides on weed control, grain yield and yield components of wheat. The
treatments comprised Atlantis 3.6 % WG (mesosulfuron - methyl +
ideosulfuron methyl sodium + bio power), Axial 50 EC (pinoxadin) + Starane-M
(fluroxypur + MCPA), Affinity 50 WP (isoproturon + carfentrazone - ethyl),
Sencor 70 WP (metribuzin), Puma Super 7.5% EW (phenoxyprop - p - ethyl) +
Starane - M (fluroxypur + MCPA), Partner 50 WP (isoproturon), Leader 75 WG
(sulfosulfuron + polyethylene amines) and control (untreated check). All the
herbicides provided good control of narrow and broad leaved weeds and
caused significant reduction in their density as compared to control. Axial +
Starane - M, Puma Super + Starane - M, Atlantis and Leader performed better
against Avena fatua L. with 98.87, 97.10, 96.89 and 91.51 percent and against
Phalaris minor Retiz with 98.31, 97.99, 97.67 and 96.95 percent control,
respectively. These herbicides also provided significant control of all broad
leaved weeds. Number of tillers, 1000-grain weight, number of grains per
spike and grain yield were significantly higher in treated plots as compared to
untreated ones. Combination of Axial + Starane-M yielded higher (4.78 t/ha)
followed by Puma Super + Starane - M (4.69 t/ha), Atlantis (4.57 t/ha) and
Leader (4.51 t/ha) with 62.03, 58.98, 54.91 and 52.88 percent increase in yield,
respectively over weedy check plot. On the basis of economic analysis, Axial
+ Starane - M gave the highest net return (Rs. 34370/ha) followed by Puma
Super + Starane - M (Rs. 32694/ha), Atlantis (Rs. 30691/ha) and Leader (Rs.
29614/ha) with a cost benefit ratio of 1:15.11, 1:15.21, 1:17.54 and 1:18.22,
respectively.

KEYWORDS: Triticum aestivum; irrigated farming; Avena fatua; Phalaris

minor; herbicides; cost benefit analysis; Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION

**Assistant Research Officers, **Senior Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy),

Adaptive Research Farm, Gujranwala, Pakistan.

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354 S. U. Chaudhary et al.

Amongst the factors responsible for low yield in Pakistan, weed infestation is
the most important one (20). Weeds compete with the crop plants for
nutrients, moisture, light, space and growth requirements. Weeds not only
reduce yield but also lower the quality of the crop and increase the cost of
harvesting, threshing and cleaning. Walia et al. (23) evaluated some
herbicides and reported that application of metasulfuron or tribenuron methyl
(10 g/ha each) offered excellent control of hardy broad leaved weeds and
increased wheat grain yield by 39.6 and 42.0 percent over control,
respectively. Rapparini et al. (19) tested various graminicides alone, with
additives or in mixture with broad leaved herbicides and found that a new
compound, ideosulfuron controlled all grassy weeds as well as a number of
broad leaved weeds.

Virender et al. (22) recorded the highest weed control by the use of
isoproturon + 2, 4-D (79.3%) and metribuzin (79.2%). Malik et al. (16)
reported that application of isoproturon (1.0 kg/ha) provided significant
control of Phalaris minor. Khan et al. (13) and Bostrom and Fogelfors (7)
concluded that a mixture gave more effective and broad spectrum weed
control with higher yield than individual herbicides. Hussain et al. (12) and
Naeem et al. (18) reported that all the herbicides decreased weed population
and significantly increased the yield and yield components as compared to
control. Another study (1) revealed that isoproturon and Partner controlled
Phalaris minor with maximum mortality of 87.08 and 81.81 percent while
Puma Super and Topik controlled Avena fatua with in 86.76 and 85.52
percent mortality, respectively. Yield and yield components positively
responded to the application of Puma Super and Topik which gave the
maximum net income of Rs. 29221 and 28597 per hectare, respectively (1).
Similarly Alvi et al. (2) stated that mortality of narrow leaved weeds ranged
between 92.52 and 97.61 percent by the application of different herbicides.
Affinity gave the highest yield (4053 kg/ha) during 2000-01 (4657.7 kg/ha)
and 2001-02 (4053 kg/ha) whereas, other yield components and net benefits
were significantly higher in treated plots as compared to untreated ones.

Cheema et al. (9) stated that Puma Super + Buctril Super gave 98 percent
control of both grassy and broad leaved weeds with maximum grain yield
(3990 kg/ha) and net benefits (Rs. 35025/ha). Aslam et al. (3) reported that
all herbicides significantly decreased weeds population over weedy check.
Panther and Topik + Panther gave better weed control (both broad leaved
and grassy weeds) upto 98 percent and increased wheat yield by 63 and 59
percent over control, respectively. Chaudhry et al. (8) reported that higher

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 Chemical weed control in wheat 355

mortality of grassy weeds (96.29%) and broad leaved weeds (97.62%) with
maximum grain yield (4.36 t/ha) was recorded where isoproturon (2.00
kg/ha) + Buctril Super (0.75 lit/ha) were applied. This treatment also gave
higher net return (Rs. 16544/ha) with a cost benefit ratio of 1:9.73. Some
other scientists (5, 14, 15, 16) concluded that chemical weed control is the
most economical approach as it increased number of grains per spike, 1000-
grain weight and grain yield of wheat. Bisen et al. (6) reported that herbicide
sulfosulfuron (33.3 g/ha) gave maximum grain yield which was at par with
metribuzin (250 g/ha) during first year and significantly superior to all other
treatments. The results of Dixit and Singh (11) showed that Affinity
effectively controlled the weeds in wheat (> 90%), however, the application
of clodinafop and fenoxaprop performed better against grassy weeds.
Dawson et al. (10) noted that sulfosulfuron (30 g/ha) was very effective
against weeds compared to the other herbicidal treatments whereas, the
grain yield was similar to weed free treatment. Baghestani et al. (4) reported
that clodinafop propargyl acted better than fenoxaprop-p-ethyl when tank
mixed with broad leaved herbicides. Dual purpose herbicide ideosulfuron -
methyl-sodium + mesosulfuron - methyl (21 g a.i./ha) was also a good option
in controlling weeds of wheat.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of

commonly available herbicides against weed control in wheat crop under
irrigated conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm, Gujranwala, Pakistan

during the year 2006-07 to 2008-09. Wheat variety AS-2002 was planted at
125 kg per hectare seed rate. NPK @ 128-114-62 kg per hectare were
applied. All phosphorus, potash and 1/3 nitrogen was applied at sowing
nd
time, 1/3 nitrogen with first irrigation and remaining 1/3 with 2 irrigation.
The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications having 5x15
meter plot size. The herbicides were sprayed at 4-6 leaf stage of weeds in
moist field, after first irrigation. These herbicides were applied by hand
operated knapsack sprayer in a spray volume of 300 litre per hectare. A
check plot was kept un-weeded for comparison. The detail of herbicides
used in the experiment is listed below.

The weeds under study were naturally occurring in the field. The common
weeds observed in wheat field were; Avena fatua L. (wild oat), Phalaris

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356 S. U. Chaudhary et al.

minor Retiz (bird’s seed grass), Chenopodium album L. (common lamb’s

quarters), Vicia sativa L. (common vetch), Medicago polymorpha L.
(Burclover/medic) and Rumex dentatus L. (broad leaf dock). Data on weed
count were recorded before and four weeks after spray of herbicides from
one meter square area randomly selected from each plot and weed mortality
percentage was calculated. The data on tiller count, number of grains per
spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield were recorded at harvesting.

Sr. Trade name of Chemical name of herbicides Recommended

No herbicides dose/ha
1 Control - -
2 Atlantis 3.6 % WG Mesosulfuron methyl+ideosulfuron- 400 g+ 400 ml
methyl- sodium + bio power
3 Axial 50 EC+ Pinoxadin + (Fluroxypur+MCPA) 825ml+750ml
Starane-M
4 Affinity 50WP Isoproturon+carfentrazone-ethyl 2.00 kg
5 Sencor 70WP Metribuzin 250 g
6 Puma Super 7.5 % Phenoxyprop-p-ethyl + Fluroxypur + 1.25 lit + 750ml
EW +Starane-M MCPA
7 Partner 50 WP Isoproturon 2.00 kg
8 Leader 75 WG Sulfosulfuron + Polyethylene amines + 34 g +1.25 lit
Leader mix

The data were statistically analyzed by Fisher’s analysis of variance method

and the treatment means were compared with LSD test at 5 percent level of
significance (21). Economic analysis was carried out on the basis of extra
income obtained from the enhanced yield and extra cost of herbicides
incurred for each treatment at prevailing market prices.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results (Table 1) revealed that Atlantis, Axial + Starane - M, Puma Super
+ Starane - M and Leader caused significant reduction of Phalaris minor
(97.67, 98.31, 97.99 and 96.95%), Avena fatua (96.89, 98.87, 97.10 and
91.51%), Medicago polymorpha (96.30, 98.17, 97.52, and 97.33%) and
Vicia sativa (92.91, 96.76, 96.37 and 83.22%). These treatments were at par
with each other. Sencor and Partner gave significantly low control of Avena
fatua (25.89 and 40.33%) and Vicia sativa (45.87 and 27.91%). Similarly,
Affinity was also weak in controlling Avena fatua (43.41%) and Vicia sativa
(51.75%). However, all the herbicides performed equally better to control
Chenopodium album and Rumex dentatus. These results are in accordance
with those of earlier workers (14, 15, 20, 24, 25).

J. Agric. Res., 2011, 49(3)

 Chemical weed control in wheat 357

Number of tillers per meter square was increased significantly in herbicides

treated plots as compared to control (Table 2). Application of Axial +
Starane-M, Puma Super + Starane - M, Atlantis and Leader produced
2
significantly better and equal tillers (366.11, 363.55, 361.55 and 359.22/m )
followed by
2
Table 1. Weed population (No. of weeds/m ) before and after the application of
different herbicides (average data of 2006-07 to 2008-09)

Name of weeds Weeds Control Atlantis Axial 50 Affinity

population/ 3.6% WG EC+ 50WP
2
m Starane-M
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Phalaris minor Retiz Before spray 118.00 114.78 112.11 107.67
After spray 118.00a 02.67c 1.89c 14.78b
Mortality (%) - 97.67 98.31 86.27
Avena fatua L. Before spray 17.33 21.56 19.44 17.67
After spray 17.33a 00.67d 00.22d 10.00c
Mortality (%) - 96.89 98.87 43.41
Chenopodium Before spray 26.78 28.11 30.22 27.99
album L. After spray 26.78a 00.33b 00.22b 00.89b
Mortality (%) - 98.83 99.27 96.82
Medicago Before spray 15.67 18.11 18.00 15.55
polymorpha L. After spray 15.67a 00.67c 00.33c 01.11bc
Mortality (%) - 96.30 98.17 92.86
Vicia sativa L. Before spray 13.45 14.11 17.00 15.67
After spray 13.45a 01.00d 00.55d 07.56c
Mortality (%) - 92.91 96.76 51.75
Rumex dentatus L. Before spray 11.00 12.22 13.00 10.89
After spray 11.00a 00.33b 00.22b 00.67b
Mortality (%) - 97.30 98.31 93.85
Name of weeds Weeds Sencor Puma Partner 50 Leader LSD ≤
population/ 70WP Super WP 75 WG 0.05
2
m 7.5% EW+
Starane-
M
(5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
Phalaris minor Retiz Before spray 102.89 110.44 108.56 113.22 -
After spray 18.56b 02.22c 17.00b 03.45c 11.289
Mortality (%) 81.96 97.99 84.34 96.95 -
Avena fatua L. Before spray 18.00 19.33 20.11 19.67 -
After spray 13.34b 00.56d 12.00bc 01.67d 2.189
Mortality (%) 25.89 97.10 40.33 91.51 -
Chenopodium Before spray 25.56 29.34 27.44 25.67 -
album L. After spray 01.44b 00.67b 01.33b 00.78b 3.545
Mortality (%) 94.37 97.72 95.15 96.96 -
Medicago Before spray 15.89 17.78 17.33 16.45 -
polymorpha L. After spray 02.00b 00.44c 02.22b 00.44c 1.210
Mortality (%) 87.41 97.52 87.19 97.33 -
Vicia sativa L. Before spray 14.78 18.44 14.33 13.89 -
After spray 08.00bc 00.67d 10.33ab 02.33d 3.418
Mortality (%) 45.87 96.37 27.91 83.22 -
Rumex dentatus L. Before spray 10.22 11.89 09.33 11.11 -

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358 S. U. Chaudhary et al.

After spray 01.00b 00.22b 01.33b 00.56b 1.730

Mortality (%) 90.21 98.15 85.74 94.96 -
Means sharing the same letter do not differ significantly (P≤0.05), using LSD test.

Table 2. Effect of different herbicides on number of tillers, grains / spike, 1000-grain

weight and grain yield of wheat (Pooled data of rabi, 2006-07 to 2008-09).

Treatments No. of No. of 1000- Grain Yield

2
tillers/m grains/ grain yield increase
spike weight (t/ha) over
(g) check (%)
Control 307.67d 40.10d 38.92c 2.95c -
Atlantis @ 400 g/ha 361.55a 46.91a 43.93a 4.57a 54.91
Axial @ 825 ml/ha + 366.11a 47.87a 44.70a 4.78a 62.03
Starane-M @ 750 ml/ha
Affinity @ 2.00 kg/ha 350.00b 44.09b 42.29b 4.09b 38.64
Sencor @ 250 g/ha 344.22bc 42.43c 41.11b 3.96b 34.24
Puma Super @ 1.25 l/ha+ 363.55a 47.68a 44.25a 4.69a 58.98
Starane-M @ 750 ml/ha
Partner @ 2.00 kg/ha 340.89c 42.96bc 42.13b 3.82b 29.49
Leader @ 34 g/ha 359.22a 46.50a 43.84a 4.51a 52.88
LSD≤0.05 6.471 1.522 1.330 0.294
Means sharing the same letter do not differ significantly at P ≤ 0.05.

Affinity (350.00) and Sencor (344.22). Weedy check plot exhibited the
2
lowest tillers (307.67/m ). These results agree to those of pervious workers
(1, 2, 11, 12, 14).

Application of different herbicides showed significant effect on grains per

spike over control (Table 2). The data revealed that Axial + Starane-M
produced maximum number of grains per spike (47.87) followed by Puma
Super + Starane-M. (47.68), Atlantis (46.91) and Leader (46.50). The lowest
number of grains per spike (40.10) was noted in control. Earlier researchers
(3, 5, 18, 21) have reported similar findings.

All herbicides had significant effect on 1000-grain weight (Table 2). Axial +
Starane - M produced the highest 1000-grain weight (44.70 g) closely
followed by Puma Super + Starane - M (44.25 g), Atlantis (43.93 g) and
Leader (43.84g). The lowest 1000-grain weight (38.92 g) was noted in
weedy check plot. The earlier researchers (3, 4, 5, 8, 17) have reported
similar findings.

The data (Table 2) further showed that all herbicides had significant effect
on grain yield. Maximum grain yield (4.78 t/ha) was recorded in Axial +
Starane-M treated plot and was at par with Puma Super + Starane-M (4.69

J. Agric. Res., 2011, 49(3)

 Chemical weed control in wheat 359

t/ha), Atlantis (4.57 t/ha) and Leader (4.51 t/ha). Minimum grain yield (2.95
t/ha) was recorded in weedy check plot. Similar results have been reported
by different workers (2, 6, 7, 17, 20, 23).

Table 3. Economic analysis of different herbicides applied to wheat (Pooled data of

rabi, 2006-07 to 2008-09).

Treatments Grain Yield Additional Additional Net Cost

yield increase income due expenditure income benefit
(t/ha) over to treatments due to over ratio
check (Rs/ha) treatments check (CBR)
(t/ha) (Rs/ha) (Rs/ha)
Control 2.95 - - - - -
Atlantis @ 400 g/ha 4.57 1.62 32441 1750 30691 1:17.54
Axial @ 825 ml/ha + 4.78 1.83 36645 2275 34370 1:15.11
Starane-M @ 750 ml/ha
Affinity @ 2.00 kg/ha 4.09 1.14 22829 1625 21204 1:13.05
Sencor @ 250 g/ha 3.96 1.01 20225 1267 18958 1:14.96
Puma Super @ 1.25 l/ha + 4.69 1.74 34844 2150 32694 1:15.21
Starane-M @ 750 ml/ha
Partner @ 2.00 kg/ha 3.82 0.87 17421 1125 16296 1:14.48
Leader @ 34 g/ha 4.51 1.56 31239 1625 29614 1:18.22

The economic analysis showed that application of all herbicides was

economical as compared to control (Table 3). Axial + Starane - M gave the
highest net return (Rs. 34370/ha) followed by Puma Super + Starane - M
(Rs. 32694/ha), Atlantis (Rs. 30691/ha) and Leader (Rs. 29614/ha). Partner
gave the lowest net return (Rs. 16296/ha). The highest CBR (1:18.22) was
noted in case of Leader followed by Atlantis (1:17.54), Puma Super +
Starane - M (1:15.21) and Axial + Starane - M (1:15.11). These results
support the findings of various scientists (1, 2, 3, 11, 19, 21, 22).

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that application of Axial + Starane - M, Puma Super +

Starane - M, Atlantis and Leader proved as the best herbicides to control
both broad and narrow leaved weeds and increased wheat grain yield by
62.03, 58.98, 54.91 and 52.88 percent, respectively over weedy check.

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